Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
Updated 11/12/26 8:42 a.m.
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Nurses Association and Mass General Brigham have reached a contract agreement, narrowly averting the open-ended strike that was planned to start Thursday morning.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Brigham nurses who stood strong to protect the world-class patient care we provide,” Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and Chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee said in a statement. “We secured this agreement with the help of countless community members, patients, unions and elected officials who supported us for many months. By standing together, we protected patients and the future of union nursing care at the Brigham.”
The new agreement includes measures to protect permanent staff by limiting temporary nursing positions, changes to patient assignments that won’t overwhelm nurses and maintaining affordable health insurance.
The agreement follows the MNA’s previous actions, including a one-day strike on July 8 and a September vote to authorize a longer strike. They previously rejected MGB’s “last, best and final” offer that was shared on Oct. 10. A strike was scheduled for Oct. 14 but was postponed until November so nurses could vote on the offer. The agreement still needs to be approved by the nurses in the union.
"We are pleased that Brigham and Women’s Hospital has reached a tentative agreement with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and the MNA has called off its scheduled indefinite strike,” Brigham and Women’s Hospital said in a statement. “We deeply value our Brigham nurses and believe this agreement recognizes their important contributions while supporting the long-term sustainability of our hospital and our ability to care for our patients and communities.”
Governor Maura Healey said in a statement she appreciated getting to meet with both sides as they reached an agreement.
“I’m pleased that the Brigham and Women’s administration and nurses have reached a tentative agreement, averting a strike and keeping the focus on protecting care for patients and families," Healey said in a statement.